Search form

Organize an Excitement Zone for the Kalamazoo Marathon

KALAMAZOO--The Kalamazoo Marathon takes place Sunday, May 6, beginning a 8 a.m., and the course passes through both the West and Parkview campuses of Western Michigan University.

More than 1,000 runners from throughout the country are registered for the second marathon in city history, and WMU is organizing Excitement Zones along the campus portion of the race route to cheer on the marathoners.

Any WMU department, office or student organization can organize and staff an Excitement Zone. Local businesses and organizations are also welcome to take a portion of the campus race route.

"Our goal is to line the campus courses with excitement zones to showcase WMU and to welcome runners to our great university," says Donna Marks in the Office of Community Outreach.

"Excitements zones are more than just a group of people applauding runners," says Marks. "Everyone is welcome to do that on their own. We want the excitement zones to be special, with a theme and advance preparation."

For more information or to sign up to organize an excitement zone, contact Donna Marks at donna.marks@wmich.edu or (269) 387-2072.

Race route through campus

Kalamazoo Marathon course through WMU West Campus

West Campus roads on the race route will be closed to traffic between 7 and 10 a.m. Sunday, May 6. The Parkview Campus main road will be reduced to one lane.

The West Campus course enters campus from Stadium Drive on Oliver Street at Western Avenue. It follows Western Avenue to South Hays to South Dormitory to Arcadia to North Vande Giessen to Auditorium to Roell to Crane to Howard and returns to Stadium Drive. Buildings and campus features along the race route include the Bronco statue, University Arena, Waldo Library, Brown Hall, Gilmore Theatre Complex, Miller Auditorium and Lawson Arena.

The Parkview Campus course follows the main road through the campus and Business Technology Research Park, past the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences.